They Will Congratulate the $&@# Out of You

Congratulations, again!

From the moment the mother of your child pees in a cup at the OB/GYN's office and the doctor or a nurse declares her officially pregnant until ... ,well I'm not sure because I haven't gotten that far yet, everyone one you come in contact with while in the company of your pregnant wife or infant child will congratulate you - over and over.   The OB/GYN will congratulate you 5-10 times before you leave her (or his) office the first time, and at least once per visit after that.  The sonogram tech* will congratulate you. Every staff person you pass on the way out will congratulate you. 

Whether it's a trip to Babies 'R Us, Home Depot or your favorite fast food restaurant, a nurse, baggers or fry technician, this trend continues.  The world loves babies and congratulating people having them.  For obvious reasons this frequency will increase the more pregnant the woman appears, maxing-out around the day you take your baby home.  Clarky's six weeks old now and the waitress at Red Lobster and eight fellow patrons at the Feast Buffet congratulated me/us/my wife on the baby this week.

I'm not complaining. It's not a bad thing. It's just something to be aware of and adjust your expectations as father and father-to-be.  It does get old fast.  I think one congratulation per person per day is plenty.  The repetition is what starts to get to you.  The same person congratulating you for the third time that day, just seems insincere. 

     - Clark's Dad


*Our sonogram tech totally loved her job and thought pictures of 6 week old embryos were the cutest thing in the world, even though she looked at probably a hundred per day.  She also spoke in a high-pitch baby talk like voice.  She definitely picked the right job.  If you're a fan of Scrubs, she was a dead ringer for the super-chipper OB/GYN resident that helped Jordan deliver her baby, when the mack-daddy suite and her regular doctor was unavailable.